John Fisher

John Fisher’s, swimming career began in 1964 in his hometown of Fulton, NY at the local YMCA swim team. Participation as a competitive swimmer continued through high school until 1972. In 2008, John and fellow teammates were inducted into the Fulton High School, Athletic Boosters Hall of Fame for contributions leading to a 1970 league championship. While in college, John swam at SUNY Oswego and SUNY Brockport in the of SUNY Athletic Conference, Division III.  During his senior year, John was recognized for contributions to the team. In 1976 he earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education.

John began teaching and coaching High School in North Rose – Walcott CSD and Lansing CSD. While at Lansing, the Girls Swimming team emerged as the IAC league Champions in 1979. In the years between 1980-87 John served his local community youth sports programs where his children were active participants in both soccer and swimming, and served as a High School and College swimming official during this time.

John returned to his alma mater, SUNY Brockport in 1987- 88 as a Graduate Assistant working toward his master’s degree in education. He served as Men’s and Women’s diving coach. In 1990, John returned to SUNY Brockport as Head Men’s Swimming Coach enthusiastically focused on recruiting and rebuilding the program through 1992.

After a short-lived career in sales, John returned to the public school as an Adapted Physical Education teacher remaining active in community American Red Cross aquatics programing. John relocated to Ithaca, NY as a trailing spouse in 2005.  He supported his son Will’s swimming career 2006 – 2012 , then returned to the ICSD as assistant men’s coach in 2016-17.

In 2018 until his arrival at UVAC in 2022, John was active in all levels of aquatics instruction at the Greater Ithaca YMCA in Lansing.  This included head coach of the Barracudas pre-competitive swimming program. In the fall of 2022, John returned to the Lansing community, with support from local parents seeking to re-establish a US swimming club. John served as the head coach during this initial phase. He is very happy to be part of UVAC, supporting area youth interested in competitive swimming.